Am I Pregnant? Top 7 Signs You Might Be Pregnant

 Women all over the world have been asking this question since the dawn of time. Am I Pregnant? This question is sometimes asked with hope and other times with a hint of worry. The answer however is not always as clear cut as we would like it to be. Too often, women tend to attribute any unusual symptoms to the possibility of being pregnant. Along with this assumption, comes the obsessive need to confirm a pregnancy. There are a few symptoms that may point to a possible pregnancy, but it is important to be aware that those same symptoms can also be cause by another ailment.

1. Late or Missed Period: One of the first clues a woman will have as to whether she might be pregnant is a late or missed period. Typically this what will trigger the all to famous "Am I Pregnant?" question and will prompts a woman to proceed with a home pregnancy test (HPT). The menstrual cycle however, is not an exact science and there are many factors such as fatigue, and stress that can affect the onset of menses. It is also quite common for women to mistakenly think they should have gotten their period already when in reality they are slightly off in their calculation.


2. Breast Tenderness: Tender, swollen breasts is also another symptom that is related to early pregnancy. It is also important to not that this symptom is also a very common premenstrual symptom. Although for some women, breast tenderness is much more pronounced in early pregnancy than it is during a regular cycle, this particular symptom cannot, on it's own, give a definite confirmation of a pregnancy.


3. Fatigue: Feeling unusually tired is yet another sign of pregnancy. The body is now working overtime to provide for the new life within and therefore will need more rest than when not pregnant. It is not uncommon for pregnant women to feel the need to nap throughout the day, early on in their pregnancy. Even though this is true in pregnancy, fatigue can also be cause by a multitude of other factors such as a flu or a cold, a poor diet, other medical conditions or simply lack of sleep.


4. Frequent Urination: The feeling of having to go to the bathroom more often is a sign of pregnancy and stems from the increase in blood flow, firstly to the pelvic area and secondly in the body as a whole. Later in pregnancy, the pressure of the uterus on the bladder will be the cause of frequent urination. Although going to the washroom more often can definitely indicate the possibility of a pregnancy, it can also be due to a multitude of other factors. These include urinary tract infection (UTI), an increased intake of caffeine or an increase in the amount of liquids consumed.


5. Nausea and Vomiting: In pregnancy, what is commonly known as morning sickness can occur at any time of the day. This queasy feeling is due to the increase in hormones and will usually subside after the first trimester. However, feeling nauseous does not imply that a woman is indeed pregnant. Other causes such as the flu, possible food poisoning and other illnesses also need to be considered.


6. Food Cravings and Aversions: Early on in pregnancy, the hormonal changes will contribute to an appetite gone crazy. Certain foods that used to be favorites now seem repulsive while others that were never really liked are new favorites. Some say this is the body's way of protecting the baby. Food cravings and aversions can also have a multitude of other causes that include a poor diet and stress. The pending onset of menstruation can also affect a woman's appetite.


7. Mood Swings: Just as a woman's premenstrual symptoms might include mood swings due to hormonal changes, the same is true for early pregnancy symptoms. The elevated levels of progesterone and the increasing levels of hCG will affect the way a woman reacts emotionally to various situations. Mood swings however cannot confirm a pregnancy since many women experience the same emotional variations in the week leading up to their period.

Although there are many symptoms that can lead to the possibility of a pregnancy, those same symptoms can too often be attributed to other causes including the regular symptoms that a woman can experience before the onset of her period. The truth is that there really is only one way to confirm a pregnancy and get a definitive answer to the "Am I Pregnant?" question. This is by getting a positive result on a pregnancy test. You can consult your health care provider to have a pregnancy test done or you can opt for a home pregnancy test (HPT) to confirm your pregnancy in the comfort and privacy of your own home.

By May Baydoun